St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
FRIDAY JOURNAL November 15th, 2019
|
We the people of Saint Stephen's in-the Field
Seek to know Christ, to share Christ, and to serve Christ,
recognizing his presence in all people, and reaching out in love
to each other and to the world around us.
|
Sunday Services: November 17th
|
 |
|
Reflections
I know that there are angels moving among us on earth. I have been blessed to be on the receiving end of their love and have also been blessed to witness their acts of love to others.
The other day I was standing in line at Macy 's to pay for an item. There was a young man with a small baby already being served. He was trying to return two dresses for his wife. He had the receipt and the tags were on the dresses. The clerk asked why he needed to return the dresses and he stated that his wife's grandmother had died and she needed a dress for the funeral. He was happy with getting store credit, but apparently since the purchase had been made over 60 days ago, the credit voucher had to be mailed to him, and that could take 3 to 4 weeks. That would have made it too late for the funeral. The clerk said she would have to get her manager to ok her giving him credit immediately. While this was happening, there was a woman making her purchase at the register right next to him. She finished her transaction, and as she turned to leave, she placed a twenty dollar bill in the young man's hand and said, "This is to help with your wife's dress." He looked around with a rather stunned expression and shook his head softly, rather in disbelief. The woman had quickly left, not waiting for thanks, or any gratitude. She made her gift with no thought of reward, simply acting out of kindness and compassion.
To see that interaction between two strangers was a beautiful thing. I know that that young man will remember the woman's act of kindness always. How easy it is to make a difference in this world, in someone else's life. We all can be angels moving around this earth if we only take the time and share our time, treasures, and talent.
Peace,
Susan
|
This Sunday - come meet our Bishop-Elect!
Bishop elect Lucinda Ashby will be visiting St. Stephen's
November 17th
at the 10:00AM service. The Vestry is hosting a hot lunch after the service (No 8:00am service)
|
Celebration Sunday with Stewardship In-gathering
November 24th
This St. Stephen's tradition is an acknowledgement and thanksgiving for the abundance we enjoy in whole range of God's gifts: food, shelter, health, employment, friendships, and family. We will collect two special offerings to be blessed:
Food for Santa Maria Urban Ministry and St. Julie's Food Pantry. Please bring non-perishable traditional Thanksgiving dinner Items (ie; canned cranberry sauce, corn, yams, boxes of stuffing mix).
2020 Pledge cards that show your commitment to shining our light - as individuals and as a faith community in worship, discipleship, and evangelism.
A potluck lunch will follow the service. Please bring something to share according to the first letter of your last name:
A-J Salad
G-R Main dish
S-Z Dessert
|
This Sunday is the fifth week of our five-week journey of this year's stewardship campaign "Shining Our Light." During each of these five Sundays you will have heard from one of your fellow parishioners at the 10:00 AM service share their stories about how St. Stephen's-in-the-Field has had an impact on their lives, why they come to St. Stephen's, and why it's important to give of their time, talent, and treasure:
October 20th: Dan Hughes
October 27th: Maria Eswine
November 3rd: Tony Pecora
November 10th: Margaret White
November 17th: Robin Poppoff (Bishop-Elect Lucinda will be here!)
November 24tth: Ingathering Service
Our pledges to St.-Stephen's are a tangible manifestation of wellness - not only our financial wellness but the wellness of our congregation. It enhances St. Stephen's ability to carry out its ministries, including those involving cultivating gracious leadership and relationship in the church community. Completed pledge cards are coming in. If you did not already submit your pledge card, you should have received a letter in the mail on this Wednesday, November 13th with a pledge card. These are also available in the rear of the church. You can mail your completed pledge card, or place it in the offering plate.
Eric Samson
Stewardship Chair
|
MUSICIANS NEEDED- ADD YOUR VOICE!
Greetings! My name is Mary Ann Gee and I am a member of the Bishop Transition Committee. We are looking for singers who are interested in singing at the Consecration. To register or find out more, go to the Consecration area on the Diocesan webpage (realepiscopal.org).
We have a limit of 60 in the Saint Andrews choir loft. Choir Director Leroy Kromm will hold the first rehearsal on November 24th at Saint Andrews. There are 2 mandatory rehearsals on Jan 9 and 10, also at Saint Andrews. Times of these rehearsals are forthcoming. The Transition Committee has asked for all chorister registrations to be in by November 15.
If you or your choir director have any questions, please free to contact me at
geett8@gmail.com
|
|
|
GIFT CARD ORDERS
We earned $213 from gift card orders last month and $100 from the CPK fundraiser. We are on a roll!!!
The next order dates will be
Nov 17, Dec 15
. If you are planning to use gift cards for either Thanksgiving (food or travel) or Christmas (presents, etc.) these dates should help you.
SMUM would like Target cards to distribute for the holidays. If you are able this order will be used for the Thanksgiving exchange and the Nov order will be used for the Christmas exchange. Help if you can.
Our annual blanket making workshop will happen in January again. If you can help with a Jo Anna's gift card we can deliver more blankets to Kathey Crow's ministry. Did you see her story in ALONG THE KING"S HIGHWAY?
Blessings
Janet
|
We are in need of ushers, lectors, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and Altar Guild members. These are wonderful ministry opportunities for both extraverts and introverts, male and female, young and not as young as they used to be! Please prayerfully consider joining one of these ministries! See Rev. Karen, Edy or Susan if you are interested in learning more.
|
|
Seeing that a pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.
- John Calvin
|
-Our faithful, hard-working, and fun vestry.
-Andy for coordinating the installation of Rev. Karen's new window.
-Margaret White for sharing her testimony.
-The Joyful Noise band for their music last Sunday
-Anthony, Margo, and Maria for their work on our website.
|
NEEDING PRAYER SUPPORT?
Prayer is one of those things we often think about, might feel inadequate about, believe in but might be unsure how to proceed. How we pray is sometimes unique to each of us. The Church provides help in many ways. If you find yourself in need, of any kind (emotional, physical, spiritual, guidance, etc) consider how St. Stephen's can support you:
* there is a Biddings book at the back of the sanctuary where you can write in things before the service starts
* there is a prayer chain of committed pray-ers (who maintain confidentiality). Contact Robin, our Deacon, who will initiate that for you
* there is prayer at the altar every Sunday, where we all join you in the privacy of your need with the Priest
* there is a kneeling prayer station at the side of the church with candles, prayer book, all available anytime, not just Sundays
* turn to your neighbors and friends in church to share what's on your heart, ask for support in speaking to God about your needs (and tell them the updates next week!)
* tell people about your answers to prayer! and the miracles you witness, or how prayer changes YOU.
|
Contact information for Rev. Karen:
Personal phone for emergencies or urgent matters: 408-781-1826
|
Contact information for Deacon Robin:
|
Please send any announcements or articles you want to have included, to:
evan.bryan1@gmail.com, by Thursday, 10am each week.
Evan Bryan
|
|
St. Stephen's in-the-Field Episcopal Church
7269 Santa Teresa Blvd; San Jose, CA 95139
|
|
|
